Further Afield: Spain

LEGEND

* Easy to get to, but takes a bit more effort.
** Perhaps a bit out of your way, but worth it.
*** Strap up your boots. But MUCH easier than Nepal or the Machu Picchu Trail.
**** Not necessarily easy, but places like this are where dinner party stories are created.

Alpujarras

The Vibe – Mountainous area of tiny stone villages reminiscent of North Africa.
Where – Sandwiched between Granada and the Mediterranean.
Why Go – Everyone thinks the Moors left Spain in 1492 after the fall of Granada. They ran a small kingdom up in these mountains for another 100 years.
For – Casual hikers, romantics, lovers of historical footnotes.
Insider’s Tip – A traditional handloom in one village creates high-quality products from local wool.

Aragon and Cinco Villas

The Vibe – Full-on fairytale grandeur.
Where – Central Spain, a three-hour drive from Barcelona, Madrid, or San Sebastian.
Why Go – To marvel at perfectly intact medieval villages and castles.
For – Your inner marquis or countess.
Insider’s Tip – Sos del Rey Catolico (the town where King Ferdinand was born) is our favorite.

Asturias and Picos de Europa

The Vibe – Idyllic, untouched, mountain scenery.
Where – Northwestern Spain, between Bilbao and Santiago de Compostela.
Why Go – Landscape, raw beaches, and of course, the food (in particular Spanish bean stew, known as fabada, and arroz con leche, or rice pudding). Culturally, this area is very different from other parts of Spain and has its language (Bable).
For – Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Insider’s Tip – The sacred cave of Covadonga occupies an important place in the Spanish psyche because it was the site of the first battle in the Catholic Reconquest of Spain that was fought against the Moors. It took the Spaniards almost eight centuries, but they won.

Extremadura

The Vibe – Remote, oft-overlooked, slightly rugged region, ripe for exploration.
Where – Southwest Spain, a three-hour drive from Madrid or Seville.
Why Go – The well-preserved town of Caceres, the longest existing Roman bridge in the world (it’s a half-mile long), or the cherry-blossoms (in spring).
For – The intrepid. This is the land of the Conquistadores, after all!
Insider’s Tip – If you love architecture – ancient or modern – don’t miss Rafael Moneo’s stunning Roman ruins museum in Merida.

Galicia

The Vibe – Serious Celtic roots – just ask the kilted bagpipers.
Where – The northwest corner of Spain, surrounding Santiago de Compostela and the final stretch of the Camino.
Why Go – Breathtaking coastline, crisp Albarino wines, and great seafood, especially scallops.
For – Daredevils who can’t resist names like the shipwreck-strewn Costa da Morte (Coast of Death) and Finisterre (End of the Earth).
Insider’s Tip – The town of La Coruna is stunning. And a boat trip on the saline estuary of Ria de Arousa is a great way to explore the most productive fishing area of Europe.

Salamanca

The Vibe – A gorgeous little town with cobblestoned streets.
Where – Northern Spain, an hour and a half west of Bilbao. Despite its deceptive name, it’s inland.
Why Go – It’s adorable, frankly, and there are beautiful and drivable areas all around it.
For – Those who just can’t resist the pull of a town so cute that it was declared one of the most beautiful towns in Spain.
Insider’s Tip – A favorite Spanish saying of ours goes, “Santillana del Mar is the town of three lies: It is not a saint (santo), it is not flat (llana), and it is not by the sea (mar).”

Ubeda and Baeza

The Vibe – Two stunning towns chock full of Renaissance architecture and quaint cafes.
Why Go – Two hours north of Granada and an hour and a half east of Cordoba.
Why Go – For the palaces, streets, and squares of two beautiful and highly walkable cities.
For – The inner romantic looking for a town too pretty for words.
Insider’s Tip – Visit the castles at Sabiote (northeast of Ubeda) and Canena (northwest of Baeza).

Zaragoza

The Vibe – Town is not our favorite. There is only one reason to go – the astonishing Palacio de la Aljaferia.
Where – On the main AVE (high-speed train) line between Madrid and Barcelona.
Why Go – After the Alhambra and the Mezquita, the Palacio de la Aljaferia is the greatest Moorish monument in Europe.
For – People who seek a little jewel of the Alhambra without the crowds of Granada.
Insider’s Tip – Stop here on your way from Madrid to Barcelona. See the cathedral and the Aljaferia, then leave town.